Bill Text: TX SB1960 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Relating to firearm safety awareness; decreasing the application and license fee for a license to carry a handgun.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-03-27 - Referred to State Affairs [SB1960 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-SB1960-Introduced.html

---

85R13127 ADM-D
By: Lucio S.B. No. 1960

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to firearm safety awareness; decreasing the application
and license fee for a license to carry a handgun.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 411.174(a), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) An applicant for a license to carry a handgun must
submit to the director's designee described by Section 411.176:
(1) a completed application on a form provided by the
department that requires only the information listed in Subsection
(b);
(2) one or more photographs of the applicant that meet
the requirements of the department;
(3) a certified copy of the applicant's birth
certificate or certified proof of age;
(4) proof of residency in this state;
(5) two complete sets of legible and classifiable
fingerprints of the applicant taken by a person appropriately
trained in recording fingerprints who is employed by a law
enforcement agency or by a private entity designated by a law
enforcement agency as an entity qualified to take fingerprints of
an applicant for a license under this subchapter;
(6) a nonrefundable application and license fee of $25
[$140] paid to the department;
(7) evidence of handgun proficiency, in the form and
manner required by the department;
(8) an affidavit signed by the applicant stating that
the applicant:
(A) has read and understands each provision of
this subchapter that creates an offense under the laws of this state
and each provision of the laws of this state related to use of
deadly force; and
(B) fulfills all the eligibility requirements
listed under Section 411.172; and
(9) a form executed by the applicant that authorizes
the director to make an inquiry into any noncriminal history
records that are necessary to determine the applicant's eligibility
for a license under Section 411.172(a).
SECTION 2. Sections 411.185(a) and (b), Government Code,
are amended to read as follows:
(a) To renew a license, a license holder must, on or before
the date the license expires, submit to the department by mail or,
in accordance with the procedure adopted under Subsection (f), on
the Internet:
(1) a renewal application on a form provided by the
department;
(2) payment of a nonrefundable renewal fee of $25 [as
set by the department]; and
(3) the informational form described by Subsection (c)
signed or electronically acknowledged by the applicant.
(b) The director by rule shall adopt a renewal application
form requiring an update of the information on the original
completed application. [The director by rule shall set the renewal
fee in an amount that is sufficient to cover the actual cost to the
department to:
[(1) verify the information contained in the renewal
application form;
[(2) conduct any necessary investigation concerning
the license holder's continued eligibility to hold a license; and
[(3) issue the renewed license.]
SECTION 3. Section 411.201(d), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(d) An applicant for a license who is an active or retired
judicial officer must submit to the department:
(1) a completed application, including all required
affidavits, on a form prescribed by the department;
(2) one or more photographs of the applicant that meet
the requirements of the department;
(3) two complete sets of legible and classifiable
fingerprints of the applicant, including one set taken by a person
employed by a law enforcement agency who is appropriately trained
in recording fingerprints;
(4) evidence of handgun proficiency, in the form and
manner required by the department for an applicant under this
section;
(5) a nonrefundable application and license fee of $25
[set by the department in an amount reasonably designed to cover the
administrative costs associated with issuance of a license to carry
a handgun under this subchapter]; and
(6) if the applicant is a retired judicial officer, a
form executed by the applicant that authorizes the department to
make an inquiry into any noncriminal history records that are
necessary to determine the applicant's eligibility for a license
under this subchapter.
SECTION 4. Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, is
amended by adding Sections 411.210 and 411.211 to read as follows:
Sec. 411.210. FIREARM SAFETY AWARENESS PROGRAM. (a) The
department, in collaboration with the Department of Family and
Protective Services, shall develop and administer a firearm safety
awareness program.
(b) The program must be designed to encourage firearm safety
and to improve public awareness on firearm safety topics,
including:
(1) prevention of firearm accidents, including the
prevention of accidents involving children;
(2) identifying mental health crisis and suicide
prevention; and
(3) the safe handling and storage of firearms.
(c) The department shall dedicate $5 from each fee collected
under this subchapter to the program.
(d) The department may pay the costs of the program and its
administration only from:
(1) the proceeds of fees collected under this chapter
and dedicated to the program under this section;
(2) gifts, grants, or donations;
(3) matching funds; and
(4) funds received from the federal government.
Sec. 411.211. FIREARM AWARENESS AND SAFETY TASK FORCE. (a)
The Firearm Awareness and Safety Task Force is created.
(b) The members of the task force shall develop
recommendations to the department on the administration of the
firearm safety awareness program established by Section 411.210.
(c) The task force consists of:
(1) two members of the public;
(2) two members representing the department;
(3) one member representing the Health and Human
Services Commission;
(4) one member representing local law enforcement;
(5) one member representing the firearm industry;
(6) one member representing a suicide prevention
organization;
(7) one member representing a gun violence prevention
organization;
(8) one member representing a gun advocacy
organization; and
(9) one member representing the Texas Veterans
Commission.
(d) All members of the task force are appointed by the
governor and do not require confirmation.
(e) Chapter 2110 does not apply to the task force.
SECTION 5. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to an application that is made to obtain an original or renewed
license to carry a handgun and submitted on or after the effective
date of this Act. An application described by this section that is
submitted before the effective date of this Act is governed by the
law in effect when the application was submitted, and the former law
is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.